Bell Work

1. Bell Work • Abdicate v. To give up (royal power or the like). • Monotheism: Belief in a single god. • List all the Holidays from the Jewish faith that you can. • What is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah & have you ever been to one?

2. Objectives • Summarize the history & beliefs of the ancient Hebrews • Explain the historical & cultural importance of the Exodus • Describe Jewish traditions and holidays

3. Judaism… • Started around 1800 BCE • “A 4000 year old tradition w/ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life) • Judaism has been described as a religion, a race, a culture, and a nation • The people are known as Jews

4. A 4000 year old tradition… • Abraham, Isaac &Jacob, known as the Patriarchs, are both the physical and spiritual ancestors of Judaism. They founded the religion now known as Judaism. • The history of Judaism begins with Abraham, who came to believe in one Supreme Being, • his son Isaac, • Isaac's son Jacob, (later called Israel) • & Jacob's 12 sons who founded the twelve tribes of Israel

6. The countries surrounding Israel all believe in what major religion? • What region of the world is Israel located? • What city is the capital of Israel? - Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” : Israel - Major city :Jerusalem

7. As a faith, Jews Believe… • In one God, creator of the universe, Monotheism • Prophets - Moses, whom the Torah was revealed to • TheTorah (first 5 books of the Bible) “The Old Testament”, containing religious, moral & social law which guides the life of a Jew • Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

8. Rambam's thirteen principles of faith These principles, are the minimum requirements of Jewish belief: 1.G-d exists 2.G-d is one and unique 3.G-d is incorporeal (spirtual) 4.G-d is eternal 5.Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other 6.The words of the prophets are true 7.Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets 8.The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings in the Talmud) were given to Moses 9.There will be no other Torah 10.G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men 11.G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked 12.The Messiah (savior) will come 13.The dead will be resurrected

9. Judaism is more concerned about actions than beliefs. • According to Orthodox Judaism, these actions include 613 commandments given by G-d in the Torah.

10. As a way of life, Judaism is based on… • 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”) • Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: • Dietary Laws – KOSHER which are numerous • http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm • Dress and other symbols • http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm • Beards: http://judaism.about.com/od/prayersworshiprituals/f/peot.htm • To bind tefillin on the head & on the arm: http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Tefillin/Tefillin.JPG • To give charity “Tzedakah” according to one's means

11. As a people, Jews are… • A nation in Diaspora (dispersed) • happened during Ancient Rome • The worldwide Jewish population is approx. 13 - 15 million Jews. • Precise figures are difficult to calculate because the definition of "Who is a Jew" is a source of controversy. • Jewish population growth worldwide is close to zero percent. • From 2000 to 2001 it rose 0.3%, compared to worldwide population growth of 1.4%. • In 2001, 8.3 million Jews lived in the Diaspora and 4.9 million lived in Israel. Just about half of the world’s Jews reside in the Americas, with about 46 percent in North America.

12. What country and continent combined = more Jews than in N. America? • Why are there so many Jews in Israel? • Are there more Jews in N. & S. America or in Israel and Europe combined?

13. Different types of Jews • United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice: • Orthodox: • Modern • Hasidic (Ultra Orthodox) • Reformed (18th century Germany) • Conservative – moderates, response to reform • Reconstructionalism (20th century America)

14. How does Judaism sanctify life? Life cycle celebrations: • Bris – ritual circumcision, sign of the covenant • Bar/Bat Mitzvah – full adult status & responsibility w/in the religion • Marriage - "Be fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:22) • Death – funerals, mourning (sitting “Shiva”), & memorials (“Yartzeits”)

15. How does Judaism sanctify time? The Jewish Holidays: • High Holidays: • Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) • Sukkot, the “Festival of Booths” (fall harvest festival) • Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”

16. More Holy Days… • Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus) • Shabbat (Sabbath, 7th day, on Saturday) – the “Day of Rest” • Other, minor festivals

17. How is Judaism related to Christianity? • Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it • Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles • Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good/wise man who lived and died approx. 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah • The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy & causes peace to reign on Earth

18. What are Jews really concerned about? • Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed” • Heart of Judaism: the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)

19. To Life! To Life! LeChaim!

20. To Do • In-class: Fill in your chart for Judaism (5min) • Hmwrk: Finish the Judaism chart portion

21. Web resources • Judaism 101: http://jewfaq.org/”an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs” • ReligiousTolerance.org on Judaism: http://www.religioustolerance.org/judaism.htm